Jack Nicholson makes surprise return to courtside seat for Lakers playoff game
Jack is back: Jack Nicholson returned to his familiar courtside seat to watch the Los Angeles Lakers advance in the NBA playoffs. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LOS ANGELES — Three-time Academy Award-winning actor Jack Nicholson made a surprise appearance at Friday’s NBA playoff game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Nicholson, 86, had been a fixture at Lakers games since becoming a season-ticket holder in 1970, ESPN reported. He returned to his usual seat to the right of the scorer’s table for Game 6 of the first-round playoff game at Crypto.com Arena with his son, according to Sports Illustrated.
The Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies 125-85 to win the series 4-2, ESPN reported.
Nicholson had not been in his customary seat since last season’s opening game in October 2021, according to the sports news outlet.
Nicholson shook hands with fans as he made his way to the seats and was visited by several notables, including Lakers star LeBron James and comedian-producer Larry David, Sports Illustrated reported.
Jack Nicholson back courtside for the Lakers - first time since last season’s opening night. pic.twitter.com/OEyr3XPsqA
He also posed for a photo with the father of Grizzlies’ star Ja Morant, Tee Morant.
The legendary actor was the most prominent face during the Lakers’ “Showtime” era with his sunglasses and famous grin, The Associated Press reported. He was also known to wander onto the court if he was unhappy with an official’s call.
The Lakers won five NBA titles during the “Showtime” era and another five when Kobe Bryant was the team’s dominant force.
Jack Nicholson is back courtside at a Lakers playoff game for the first time in a long time. pic.twitter.com/MFIvMz4XxZ
Nicholson rarely attended Lakers games after crowds were allowed back into the area following the COVID-19 pandemic, but made an exception of Friday to watch the Lakers clinch the playoff series.
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Through the years John Nicholson. "Nick"...jolly and good natured...enthusiastic writer of those English compositions..his participation added to our plays. Blue and Gray 1, 2, 4; Rules Club President 1, 2; Football 1; Basketball Manager 2; Study Club 3; Junior Play 3; Table Tennis Club 3; Senior Play 4; Class Vice-President 4. ca. 1955. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Through the years A young Jack Nicholson in a publicity still for the movie The Cry Baby Killer. (Photo by Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images) (Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images)
Through the years Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda, wearing a stars-and-stripes helmet and matching leather jacket, in a publicity still issued for the film, 'Easy Rider', USA, 1969. The film, directed by Dennis Hopper, starred Fonda as 'Wyatt', and Nicholson as 'George Hanson'. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Through the years Jack Nicholson in "Chinatown" 1974. (Photo by FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images) (FilmPublicityArchive/FilmPublicityArchive/United Arch)
Through the years American actor Jack Nicholson on the set of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest directed by Czech-American Milos Forman. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images) (Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Through the years Jack Nicholson peering through axed in door in lobby card for the film 'The Shining', 1980. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images) (Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Through the years Jack Nicholson walking through snowy maze in lobby card for the film 'The Shining', 1980. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images) (Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Through the years Jack Nicholson (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years Debra Winger talks Jack Nicholson as she holds onto Shirley MacLaine in a scene from the Paramount Pictures movie"Terms of Endearment", circa 1983. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Through the years CIRCA 1987: (Clockwise) Cher, Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon pose for the Warner Bros movie "The Witches of Eastwick" circa 1987. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Through the years American actor Jack Nicholson on the set of Batman, directed by Tim Burton. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images) (Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Through the years American actor Jack Nicholson playing the role of a colonel of the navy acting in the film A Few Good Men. 1992 (Photo by Mondadori via Getty Images) (Mondadori Portfolio/Mondadori via Getty Images)
Through the years Actor Jack Nicholson takes part in 26th Annual LAPD Celebrity Golf Tournament at Rancho Park Golf Course in Los Angeles, California. 5/17/1997 Mandatory Credit: Jason Wise /Allsport (Jason Wise/Getty Images)
Through the years Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Amanda Peet attend a photo call for their new film "Somethings Gotta Give" at the 54th annual Berlin International Film Festival on February 6, 2004 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Kurt Vinion/Getty Images) (Kurt Vinion/Getty Images)
Through the years Actor Jack Nicholson attends "The Bucket List" press conference at Grand Hyatt Tokyo on April 30, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The film open on May 10 in Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images) (Junko Kimura/Getty Images)
Through the years Actor Jack Nicholson speaks onstage during the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Michael Douglas at Sony Pictures Studios on June 11, 2009 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)
Through the years Actors (L-R) Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson watch Game Three of the ALCS between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the New York Yankees during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Angel Stadium on October 19, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Through the years Jack Nicholson attends a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 18, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images) (Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
Through the years Ron Artest #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts with actor Jack Nicholson in the third quarter while taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Through the years Yogi Berra, Jack Nicholson and Joe Pesci attend the 3rd Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on May 2, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images) (Bobby Bank/Getty Images)
Through the years (L-R) Actors Jack Nicholson talks to Dennis Hopper who was honored with the 2,403rd Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 26, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years Actor Jack Nicholson performs onstage during The Rocky Horror Picture Show 35th anniversary to benefit The Painted Turtle at The Wiltern on October 28, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Painted Turtle) (Kevin Winter)
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